Serving in Counseling.

Master of Arts in Christian Counseling

Purpose of the Program

The Master of Arts in Christian Counseling (MACC) is a 72-hour program designed for those who desire to serve as a pastoral or professional counselor in the church or a wide range of settings (community mental health agency, hospital program, religious-based or church-related counseling ministry, and private pastoral or professional counseling practice). The program offers a theological foundation coupled with Christian-based counseling theory and practice. It also is multicultural in nature and designed to aid the student in developing an intentional, informed, and integrated biblically based, systemic pastoral counseling ministry. The degree coursework may prepare the student to take the National Counselor Exam or the National Certified Mental Health Counselor Exam and work toward state licensure in Washington. The student is responsible for verifying whether the degree will meet state licensure requirements in any given state. The program is for the following:

Christian workers in positions where the master’s degree will allow entrance into a vocation which would not otherwise be possible;

Those who desire future employment as a counselor in a variety of mental health settings including Church/para-church ministries, social service agencies, military agencies, substance abuse centers, or rehabilitation clinics; or

Vocational counselors who desire additional information for personal growth or who seek continuing education credit to meet current legal, ethical and other professional counseling standards, including licensure requirements.

Note: Note: The MACC fulfills some (but not all) of the requirements necessary for State of Washington licensing. Specific licensing requirements vary from state-to-state. Therefore, the student should contact the appropriate state where they plan to utilize the degree for additional information regarding licensure.

The standard academic prerequisite for the MACC is a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Applicants should have a minimum GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must have read and signed that they are in agreement with and will uphold the Doctrinal Statement, that they will abide by the Biblical Code of Conduct, Academic Code of Honor, Drug and Alcohol Policy, Payment Policy, and all other academic and financial policies. Additional requirements can be found on the Application for Admission.

Bible/Theology (8 hours)

CO 5710 Essential Doctrines of Christian Counseling

4

CO 6726 Foundations of Biblical Counseling

4

Counseling (56 hours)

CO 5711 Introduction to Pastoral Counseling

4

CO 5730 Introduction to Crisis Intervention

4

CO 5740 Introduction to Marriage & Family Counseling

4

CO 6710 Human Growth and Development

4

CO 6720 Cross-cultural Counseling

4

CO 6724 Advanced Marriage & Family Counseling

4

CO 6750 Domestic Violence & Anger Management

4

CO 6760 Addictions & Substance Abuse

4

CO 7710 Group Counseling

4

CO 7755 Psychopathology

4

CO 7761 Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling

4

CO 7764 Assessment and Diagnosis (DSM)

4

CO 7765a Counseling Practicum/Internship 1

4

CO 7765b Counseling Practicum/Internship 2

4

Elective coursework (8 hours)

Counseling or Interdisciplinary Electives (2)

8

Total Hours =

72

Program Application

Note: Before beginning any graduate program, students intending to seek ordination or licensing for Christian ministry and/or vocational opportunities (religious or secular) should be knowledgeable of the specific requirements of their denomination, synod, religious organization, military association, or vocational institution to determine the applicability of this degree to meet those goals.